Well, come on! Tell us? Are they for it... 
or agin' it?
Posted on 02/12/2008 8:50:00 PM PST by Fred
Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell says Barack Obama is going to lose votes because some white voters are not ready for a black president:
"I think there are some whites who are probably not ready to vote for an African-American candidate."
Rendell also said he thought race cost his Republican opponent, former NFL star Lynn Swann, around five points in the 2006 election for governor.
Rendell's statement was jarring for me. Last summer, at my wife's high school reunion, I met a guy who grew up in Penn Yan and now works for a nuclear facility outside Pittsburgh. He's a Libertarian who strongly supports Obama, and I can almost remember what he said that night word-for-word:
"If this election were based on brains or policy, Obama would win. But I don't know one white voter in the Pittsburgh area who will vote for a black candidate."
"You're obviously over-stating it," I replied.
"I'm not. And I mean both parties. When I talk about Obama, I hear the kind of racism that would make you sick. I mean sick. And it makes me very, very sad."
I haven't spoken to him since that night. Throughout the primary season, I thought about calling him to see if his perceptions have changed. After all, we're well over halfway through, and if race were a preventative factor, Mr. Obama would be out of the contest.
Which is why Governor Rendell's comments came off as all the more shocking to me. If this were one of the opening primaries, perhaps I could understand. The governor has a reputation for eschewing tact in favor of honesty.
But states in every corner of the country have demonstrated that if racism or sexism still exist (and surely they do), they are not strong enough forces to derail qualified candidates.
And so Governor Rendell should have kept his thoughts to himself. He might very well be right, but the problem is that there is no scientific way of ever knowing if he's right. As such, the blunt governor should have given voters in his state more credit.
From what I have heard around here, Rendell’s statement was accurate.
I'm not saying this is what I want to happen or what should happen. I'm just saying I think the odds are better than even. His skin color, and his being the first AA to have a legitimate shot at the White House, compound this problem.
But if he's shot and lives through it, and continues with the campaign, this will solidify his messianic status among his supporters, and he'll ride that wave into the Oval Office.
No tin foil hats allowed on this post.
Rendell must be canvasing for Hillary’s VP.
As a born and bred Keystoner, I’d be shocked if Obama loses here. The state seems to be psuedo-libertarian, and there is a large hatred of the Clintons. Not that Obama is any better regarding policy, but he doesn’t scream “I’ll take your freedom for the greater good of the motherland” like Clinton. I wish Swann beat Rendell last year, but he tied himself too closely to Bush. Losing Santorum really hurt too, but I think Barletta is on the fast track.
Fast Eddie Rendell, no one gives a damn about his race. They do care, however that his middle name is “Hussein.”
What a sorry-assed lot the voters have:
McPain the megalomaniac - loves illegal aliens hates tax cuts etc.
The evil Hildabest
And a Muslim leftist Marxist.
What in the hell are we coming to?
Kennedy was killed because he stepped on way too many toes. Obama, while charismatic to be sure, is as establishment as the day is long. And unlike Hillary, he doesn’t have the built in unlikeability that would turn most people off. He could get on TV, tell us about how he’s banning firearms, legalizing homo marriage, and enacting a North American Union and still a relative majority would love him. Bill Clinton was the same way. If they weren’t in politics, they’d be selling used cars or hosting game shows.
Rendell is mistaken, PA did elect a black president, BJ Clinton..
Rendell said white conservatives wouldn't vote for Obama. He should have said white democrats
Lynn Swann ran against him for governor
Rendell said white conservatives wouldn't vote for Obama. He should have said white democrats
Lynn Swann ran against him for governor
Well, come on! Tell us? Are they for it... or agin' it?
“What a sorry-assed lot the voters have:
McPain the megalomaniac - loves illegal aliens hates tax cuts etc.
The evil Hildabest
And a Muslim leftist Marxist.
What in the hell are we coming to?”
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Read my tag line....
I may have to add to it, “and not likely to return” :(
Change the R next to the name to a D and it would have been landslide Lynn instead. Methinks the Edsters corrupted fellows in Philly shaved off a few points of the totals instead.
Fitting to see that the rules of the primary system which were structured to benefit Democrats can now be used against Democrats.
About this quote:
He's a Libertarian who strongly supports Obama
This guy is not a Libertarian if he supports Obama.
As a lifelong PA midstater I have to agree with those who have described “Pennsyltucky” as liberal at both ends with Alabama in between.
The “blue cities” will go for Obama but not the ‘burbs. Very close, but Hilary’s first big win. Too late to do her any good.
You would actually leave the greatest country on earth because of some politicians?
Bye. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass.
That’s kind of how I’m feeling tonight...
By the way Rendell is a dumb jerk. And so are the idiots that voted for him...and will vote for Obamama
suprised = surprised
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.